Page 8 of Highlander’s Viking Snakes

6

After the ruckus between the two groups of Vikings, things had been calm in the village for the rest of the day. The Vikings had gone away to find shelter elsewhere while they made plans to help the village, which left the villagers free to get about their business. Of course, there was nothing anyone spoke about other than the Vikings, and the village was alive with the swift murmurs of speculation about what might happen, and if these Vikings truly were the saviors they seemed. Many stories were shared, some of Viking brutality, but some that were more recent and spoke of the partnership between Vikings and Highlanders elsewhere. Caoimhe tried to stay out of it. She kept herself busy in Kylie's house, helping out with preparing dinner to try and keep her mind off her father. She knew that every moment not spent looking for him was another moment where he might be killed or taken farther away, and the chances of finding him dwindled.

After dinner, Andrew went out with some of his friends, leaving Kylie and Caoimhe alone. Caoimhe was in a much better state of mind than she had been the previous night when she had arrived. Despite the circumstances that had brought them together, it was pleasing to be sitting with her sister again. Kylie had barely changed since they had last met. She still had the striking beauty and the sweeping smile that seemed to glow radiantly. However, at this moment, concern was etched upon her face, and Caoimhe thought to herself how much Kylie resembled their mother.

“How are you feeling today?” Kylie asked.

“I am well,” Caoimhe said, placing her hands in her lap. “I like knowing that there are those out there who wish tae help us.”

“Indeed. I think we have all been taken by surprise by the arrival of these Vikings. How did ye meet Sven?”

“He was looking for our village,” Caoimhe said, blushing when Sven was mentioned. “I was afraid at first, but he quickly showed that he wasn't a threat. I think he could really help us.”

“It does seem that ye favor his opinion,” Kylie said with a twinkle in her eyes. Caoimhe offered an uncertain smile and shifted in her seat, squirming a little. “And I dinnae think that's all ye favor.”

“I dinnae know what ye mean,” Caoimhe said.

Kylie giggled. “Ye know full well what I mean. I saw the way ye looked at him and spoke with him, and I noticed the way he looked at ye tae.”

“Ye did?” Caoimhe gasped.

“Oh, aye! It haes been known for Vikings tae be taken with Highland lasses.”

“I'm nae sure about that,” Caoimhe said humbly, but her cheeks were as bright as a beetroot.

“It might be the right time for ye tae be thinking about this. Andrew and I were talking earlier and, well, perhaps it's time ye think about getting married.”

As soon as the word marriage was dropped into conversation, Caoimhe went rigid. She averted her gaze and tried to ignore the swell of nausea that swam in her stomach.

“What dae ye mean? I'm nae ready for marriage yet.”

Kylie tilted her head and looked at Caoimhe as if she were daft. “Caoimhe, it's about the right time for ye tae be getting married anyway, never mind the fact that ye dinnae hae a home anymore! Without Father, it is nae gaeing tae be easy tae make alliances or arrangements with other clans. We would dae all we can, but a favorable marriage is gaeing tae be difficult tae find. Ye need a strong man, someone who will be able tae protect ye.”

“That can wait!” Caoimhe said. “When we find Da, he will be able tae find a suitor for me in his own time. I cannae think about getting married now, nae when Da is still out there!”

Kylie sighed a little, and her face fell. She leaned forward and reached out to take Caoimhe's hand. When she spoke, her voice was as soft as snow. “Caoimhe, I know ye dinnae want tae believe this, but ye are gaeing tae hae tae face the possibility that Da is dead. We know what Vikings can be like, and Da is hardly the type tae accept his fate without trying tae fight against it. I know ye want tae find him—and believe me, I dae as well—but we hae tae think about the worst possibility and prepare for that tae.”

Caoimhe looked horrified. She recoiled and took her hand away. “I cannae believe ye would say such a thing! Da is out there! He's still alive, and I'm gaeing tae find him. I dinnae care how long it takes or what I hae tae dae. I'm gaeing tae find him, and I will nae get married until then! How could I give myself tae another man and begin another life when I know that I hae abandoned him? Ye ask the impossible of me.” She shook her head vehemently and crossed her arms.

“I know it's gaeing tae be hard, but it's nae impossible,” Kylie said, maintaining her gentle tone. “It's what he would hae wanted. It's what Mither would hae wanted as well.”

Caoimhe rolled her eyes and huffed. “It's nae fair of ye tae bring Mither intae it.”

“But it's true. All she wanted was for ye tae get married and hae a good life.”

“Aye, but I dinnae think she'd want me tae sacrifice Da for it. Ye cannae try and guilt me intae this,” she said.

“I'm sorry,” Kylie admitted, “but I still think Da would want ye tae get on with yer life. He wouldnae want ye tae put yerself in danger.”

“Aye, he might nae, but it's nae his decision what I dae with my life. If I want tae rescue him, then I'm gaeing tae rescue him, and if he wants tae be angry with me, then he can be angry when I drag him out of whatever Viking camp they're holding him in,” she said, the words bursting from her in a determined rush.

Kylie allowed herself a soft smile. “Ye always were the more willful out of the two of us,” she said. The comment helped defuse the situation, and Caoimhe smiled as well.

“I'm nae sure Da would agree,” Caoimhe replied.

Kylie let out a small laugh and then thought for a moment. “I'm nae saying ye should give up on looking for Da. I certainly dinnae want that either. I'm just trying tae be pragmatic. If our father is dead, then ye are the only family I hae left, and it's my duty tae look out for ye.”

“I understand, and I'm grateful that I hae ye as a sister.”